News: January 2004

Lancashire gardeners urged to exterminate grey squirrels

Residents in the area of Formby red squirrel reserve on the Lancashire coast are being urged to trap grey squirrels so that they can be killed in order to protect the native population of reds.

Details

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust, in conjunction with Red Alert (an organisation supported by David Belamy), are lending humane traps to residents in the area of the reserve. When grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinesis) are caught in these traps, trained Red Alert volunteers administer a lethal injection or shoot the animalWhen grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinesis) are caught in these traps, trained Red Alert volunteers administer a lethal injection or shoot the animal.

These drastic measures are considered necessary to safeguard one of the last remaining of Britain's now scattered red squirrel (Sciurus vlugaris) populations. The red squirrel, our only native squirrel, was widespread in Britain before the introduction of the grey squirrel from North America in the mid 19th century. Grey's do not kill reds, but they may be better competitors for food and territory. Grey squirrels also carry a disease called parapox which although harmless to them, is deadly to red squirrels. Experience has shown that when greys start to arrive in an area where red squirrels are resident, the reds are generally gone within seven to 12 yearsExperience has shown that when greys start to arrive in an area where red squirrels are resident, the reds are generally gone within seven to 12 years.

Two parapox outbreaks on the reserve last year, which accounted for nine confirmed red squirrel deaths, together with a huge increase in sightings of grey squirrels in the area have prompted the action by the Trust and Red Alert.